Image: Resurrection of Henry Box Brown

Description: Illustration of Henry Box Brown's "resurrection" in Philadelphia. From William Still's 1872 book The Underground Railroad. “All was quiet. The door had been safely locked. The proceedings commenced. Mr. McKim rapped quietly on the lid of the box and called out, 'All right!' Instantly came the answer from within, 'All right, sir!' “The witnesses will never forget that moment. Saw and hatchet quickly had the five hickory hoops cut and the lid off, and the marvellous resurrection of Brown ensued. Rising up in his box, he reached out his hand, saying, 'How do you do, gentlemen?' The little assemblage hardly knew what tot hink or do at the moment. He was about as wet as if he had come up out of the Delaware. Very soon he remarked that, before leaving Richmond he had selected for his arrival-hymn (if he lived) the Psalm beginning with these words: ”I waited patiently for the Lord, and He heard my prayer.” And most touchingly did he sing the psalm, much to his own relief, as well as to the deligh of his small audience” (p. 83).
Title: Resurrection of Henry Box Brown
Credit: The underground rail road. A record of facts, authentic narratives, letters, &c., narrating the hardships, hair-breadth escapes, and death struggles of the slaves in their efforts for freedom, as related by themselves and others, or witnessed by the author; together with sketches of some of the largest stockholders, and most liberal aiders and advisers, of the road. William Still, 1872. (Available from archive.org.)
Author: William Still / "Engravings by Bensell, Schell, and others."
Usage Terms: Public domain
License: Public domain
Attribution Required?: No